2 Men, 1 Teen Held After Carjacking, Chase, Crash

Two men and a 17-year-old boy were arrested late Sunday on suspicion of forcing a woman out of her car in Costa Mesa, then leading police on a chase that ended after the vehicle crashed.

Alejandro Ortiz, 20, and Alejandro Arellano, 22, both of Santa Ana, were being held without bail at Costa Mesa City Jail. The teenager, whose name was not released because of his age, was taken to Orange County Juvenile Hall.

The incident began about 9:30 p.m. Sunday when the three allegedly approached a car parked in a lot in the 100 block of East 17th Street, forced the 50-year-old woman inside to get out, knocked her to the ground, got into the car and fled.

Police spotted the stolen car in Fountain Valley. A short pursuit ended when the car crashed into a parked car and the three occupants fled on foot. All three suspects were arrested within 2 1/2 hours.

The owner of the stolen car suffered minor cuts and bruises to her hands and knees, said Lt. Dale Birney, a spokesman for the Costa Mesa Police Department.